Prologue: The lost book
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0LylyPQsi8
"BROTHERS! We stand here united as the last force to stop this evil! We stand as the last force that can face these monsters! The vile Eye watches us this very moment! It yearns for the moment when our hearts fail! It yearns for the moment when we turn our blades against our comrades, against our nations, against our families! It seeks to destroy all that we hold dear!"
"I will not lie. There will be a day when our hearts fail. But that day is not today! There will be a day when brothers will turn against each other. But that day is not today! A day when our hopes are nothing but ashes carried by the wind. BUT THAT DAY IS NOT TODAY!"
"I fought by your side! I will die by your side! I don't stand here today as a king! But as a soldier! Stand tall! Let us steal Tenebris gaze until Phan can reach the summit! Brace your hearts! Do not let despair steal your heart! Know that the one standing next to you will have your back just as you have theirs! I am proud of the life I lived. Let us show that today, the free beings of Equos STAND! TOGETHER!"
THAT is an inspirational speech! To think this guy didn't want to be king, what a waste it would have been.
Sythorn turned away from the little company of five hundred beings. Dragons, ponies, changelings, yaks, griffons, hippogriffs, zebras, diamond dogs. That had to be the largest number of species to ever gather with the same purpose. A single ray of hope that shone through the dark skies of the kingdom hidden behind the dark walls of Umbratio.
The rightful ruler of the Griffons stood tall with his blade in hand. The same blade used in the legend to defeat the dark lord Tenebris. Reforged by the ponies. Blessed by the deceased, traitorous army that he freed. Bathed in the blood of the damned who threw their minds to the dark tyrant.
Sythorn looked at his weapon, remembering the small changelings. The little creatures that bravely volunteered to fulfill that suicidal quest. It wasn't for the hope of all creatures that he stood with his brothers. It was for them. For those little creatures that made all of that possible.
The weakest creatures that brought hope for so many. Changing the fate of their world.
They would not stand there if it weren't for those four. Two of them stood behind him weapons in hand. The other two faced the dark, poisonous air of Caedes. They stood there in hope that they could buy them time.
That little circle of soldiers, surrounded by an army of undead, Windigoes, husks, revenants, wraiths, and other atrocities, hopped to pull the deadly eye's gaze from the mountain.
From within the circle, Gurdin spoke to True Shot.
"Never thought that a dragon would die fighting alongside a pony."
The mare looked down at the short-tempered dragon with a kind smile before replying.
"What about dying alongside a friend?"
The Purple creature chuckled at the remark before turning to the army of monsters. His battle-ax ready and aching for their game to start.
"Ah. That I can do."
YES! GO YOU, TWO DORKS! Smash those monsters and play the counting game! You two better be alive by the end of this. Do you hear me?!
The monsters around them howled and roared. Drooling and gritting their teeth they pretended to move forward.
Sythorn looked at his troops. All of them were volunteers, some had seen enough battles. Others not nearly enough. But all of them stared at him. The king that led the charge, even the kings of the ponies stood there in wait for his command.
Sythorn averted his gaze to the darkness beyond the gate. There was no chance of victory. That was the end of all things. That was their end. The tip of his weapon touched the ground beneath him. His breathing slowed down. He looked over his shoulder and said to those willing to hear.
"For Phan and Meri."
Then, without a battle-cry or any sort of fear, he leaped towards the enemy army. His troops stood in shock while the one who had rallied them made an insane dash at his certain demise.
"FOR THE HIVEE!/FOR THE QUEEN!" Two voices cried out as they followed the Griffon King. The weakest charging at the strongest enemy to ever threaten the freedom of the creatures of Equos.
The cries of two changelings made the troops shake their fear. The little ones had done it again. With their doubts erased, the soldiers followed the charge. Full throttle, roaring for their freedom. Roaring at the certain death that waited for them.
Th-?!
The incredible scene that was unfolding before his very eyes came to a sudden stop. A pair of ponies busted into the barracks. Groaning and panting issued. Caeru Feather rolled his eyes and then got up from his bed. That wasn't the first time another member of the guard had brought a mate to the barracks.
Which was against regulations.
With the corner of his eyes, Caeru caught the sight of a fiery mane waving in the non-existent wind. And the color pattern of the Captain's mane. Caeru looked at the couple.
Based on the mark, that had to be Princess Celestia. Caeru coughed a bit, still recuperating from the cold he had caught a few weeks prior, which led to the Princess looking over her shoulder. Her sclera had changed color as well as her irises. Caeru shrugged at the sight.
As far as he was concerned, the Princess could do whatever the heck she wanted.
He saw the princess' eyes slowly return to normal along with her mane. Her cheeks flushed while the captain let out a loud sigh of relief.
"I'll just go find another place to finish my book," Caeru replied while heading to the door.
I let her out again.
Celestia tried her best to regain her composure. The soldier that snapped her out her trance was gone. Her nephew's husband was breathing heavily. His face was red as an apple.
"I apologize, captain. I was not myself. I will find a way to compensate for it," Celestia replied with her politician tone.
"P-Please tell me that Cadance doesn't have a side like that," Shining Armor asked as he tried to regain his breath.
"That I cannot say. Mine has been there for some time. But I have to ask that you keep this a secret. Even from Cadance."
"You want me to lie to my bride to be," Shining said with a dark tone.
"I am aware that this is a selfish request. But I cannot have her worry about me as well. It is bad enough that she had to endure an attempt to kidnap her a few days before her wedding," Celestia replied while readjusting her dress.
"Do you also want me to tell that soldier to keep his mouth shut?"
"No. I'll handle him myself. What was his name?"
"That was a private first class, Caeru Feather. If I'm not mistaken, he has recently returned to his duties after getting severe flu."
"I see. And that empty book in his hands?"
"I saw two pages in it, Princess. But I have never seen that book before."
"Very well, I shall seek him out now. You should recompose yourself," Celestia replied while heading to the door. She stopped at the door, looking over her shoulder she said once more. "I am sorry about this, captain. I truly am."
"Just try to keep her locked away."
Celestia nodded positively before heading out the door.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sM45jNxfCc
The army of monsters was blinded by the radiant light coming from above. The fearless warriors rushed the monster's front line as if they didn't exist. Blades clashed as the monsters began to have their first casualties. Without hesitation, without concern.
Their clash was brutal. Bodies, blood, magic flew through the battlefield as the glistening blades danced amongst the legion. All that for two little changelings. All that for the hope of buying time for their friends.
And they were giving it their all.
Meanwhile, in at the entrance of the Damnatio. The very forge where the damned ring. Meri carried her friend on her back, the little changeling's eyes were dull. The companion with whom she had traveled so far was only a husk of his former self. The beautiful hive had disappeared from his thoughts. All that was left was a firey pit of Tartarus that plagued every waking moment of Phan's existence.
"Come on! Don't you see Phan? It's right there! I-it's there..."
Exhaustion took over. After carrying her friend a considerable distance, she gave in. Meri dropped to the floor while dropping her friend in the process. Her eyes were struggling to stay open, because of both her physical exhaustion and the ash saturated air. Her eyes were almost shut when she caught sight of her friend.
FOR THE LOVE OF CELESTIA! SAVE THEM, PLEASE!!!!! GET UP PHAN! Meri, you're much stronger than this. Get up just once more!
Phan's eyes were clouded. All Phan could see were the distorted shadows of the mountain. He knew he was close to the mountain, to the fiery pit from where his cargo had come. Yet, the world felt cold. Lifeless, it was as if he was at the point where all things ended. An orangish color guided his steps. The whispering, the thought of the damned eye, the pain, the heartache, the fear begged him to run away. To wear the ring and then escape that suffering.
But something deep down screamed. A muffled cry begged for him to endure it just a little while longer. The faint sound of water flowing, the blurred image of great fields covered in green. The sight of something he couldn't remember. A sight that brought him comfort.
"Smarts changelings. Clever changelings. CLIMBING UP SO FAR!!!"
OH, FUCK NO! No! Get back to the pit you were tossed into! We do not need you right now!
That voice made Phan look to the side. He didn't have time to escape. Click lunged at him toppling Phan, who hit his head against the rocks. Click then tried to break the chitin around Phan's neck to strangle him. The twisted form of what once was a changeling managed to create some cracks around Phan's neck.
"DIE YOU MONSTER!" Meri screamed as she hammered a stone against click's head.
SMASH HIS FREAKING SKULL!
Click fell to the side, staggered by the blow he tried to get up on his hooves. Only for Meri to suplex it in an attempt to throw him down the mountainside. However, the creature wriggled its body so that it could take a bite at Meri's shoulder, causing her to drop Click.
Seeing her friend scuffle with the creature, Phan scrambled towards the entrance to the forge. That's when he felt it, warmth. The cold air surrounding him finally had heat, his chitin was no longer freezing. Phan continued to tumble towards the center of the orange circle. The ring around his neck weighted like a fully grown, award-winning pig.
Phan reached for the ring and held it above the orange pit below him. He stared the tiny object, the shiny little thing that caused him so much harm. The tiny little thing that called out his name in such an alluring way. The soothing appearance of the smooth surface of the ring. The beautiful glim that came from the golden object.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MWxAAQoNiw
No.
He couldn't do it. The ring was his. HIS. It was his precious possession. The wondrous gift passed down to him by his uncle. The precious object that he went above and beyond to protect. The ring was his and his alone! It was calling to him. Praising him for his feats. It recognized his worth.
It beckoned him to call out its power. It offered him the world. All he had to do was put it on.
"PHAN!" Another voice called out to him.
Phan looked over his shoulder and then saw his friend.
"Cast it into the fire! Destroy it!" She begged while struggling to keep on her hooves against the scorching gusts of wind that rose from the pit below them.
Phan broke the necklace that held the ring. He took the gold accessory to his ring finger. Then while staring at his best friend eyes' he said:
"No."
And then he vanished.
FUUUUUUUUCK! Right at the end?! Just like the first bearer?! No-no-no! Don't switch characters don't-
Outside, the king found himself pinned against the ground as a troll raised its foot to crush him. Sythorn raised both his arms to defend against the creature's attack. However, the monster's attack was halted by a volley of arrows that pierced the creature's eyes, causing it to tumble and then fall over its comrades.
FUCK YOU! ALSO, THANK YOU FOR SAVING SYTHORN!
The battle was beginning to wear them down. The king felt his fatigue as his hands trembled to keep the sword steady. But then, amidst the confusion of screams and roars, the sound of a storm began to echo across the land. Sythorn turned his gaze towards the thunderstorm.
What he saw made him feel his strength return.
"THE ELDER DRAGONS ARE COMMING!"
Yes! Waste those monsters! Elder dragons for the win!
Terrifying and majestic, the dragons flew over their small company. Spitting firebolts as well as other elements at the army. Their claws locking with the claws of the sirens' and their black riders. The staggering screech of the monsters muffled by the dragon's earth-shattering roar.
They might be able to do it. The situation had turned. Now it was only a matter of-?!
Another ear-shattering sound stormed the battle. Sythorn looked back at the tower that held the eye. The fire orb had turned around, it was facing the destination of his little friends.
"No."
NOPE. Nope. Nope. You do not get your ring back! Go to Tartarus and then the frozen prison of Helheim you stupid orb.
Back in the mountain, Phan struggled to keep Click out of his back. The creature had followed Phan's hoof marks and was now riding on his back. The creature grabbed Phan's hand and then tore off his finger using its mouth. Phan reappeared while falling to his knees.
Behind him, the twisted creature held the ring up in the sky. Its eyes shining with a horrific glow as it finally reclaimed his most prized possession.
"It's MINE! The precious is MINE! IT'S-?!"
"PHAN!!! NOOOOO!"
Meri watched as her friend lunged against Click. Both of them then disappeared as they fell towards the pit of lava. The changeling got up on her hooves and then dashed to the edge. Looking down at the edge, she saw the creature falling into the fiery pit.
Please be alive. Please be alive. Please be alive!!
But that did not matter.
WHY?!
"PHAN!" She cried as she caught sight of her friend barely hanging on to the side of the platform.
YES!
Her friend's eyes were lit up again. The dreaded darkness that seeped into them during their travel dissipated as the creature Click disappeared into the molten rock. Meri reached out for her friend, who, with a lot of struggle, managed to take her hand.
YES!
After pulling him up, Meri offered her shoulder. Phan accepted the aid wholeheartedly as they fled the collapsing forge. The molten rocks that had swallowed Click were rising quickly in an attempt to devour them as well. The changelings barely escaped the scorching pit. They sought refuge on top of a large boulder.
NO!
The mountain behind them blew into a hellish storm of stone and fire. As they laid on top of the boulder, surrounded by a lake of lava, Phan looked at the gray sky with a sad smile.
NO!
"I can see it, Meri. I can see the hive! The rivers, the plants, the animals. I can feel the scent of the flowers. I can hear our queen singing from her tower."
I know what you are doing, so stop, right now!
"And now they are all safe Phan. You did it Phan Hivend. You saved the Hive."
Phan gave out a tired chuckle before coughing due to the volcano's fumes. "No, Meri Wisemind. We did it. I couldn't have done this without you. I bet Lux will be impressed."
STOP! Who gives a fuck about Lux! You two need to kiss! Right now! DO IT!
"Yes. I believe he will," Meri replied with a soothing tone. "Although, I don't think I'll be sad if he found another drone while we were out here. How many of us can say they saved the entire world?" The changeling said pulling her friend close.
They wouldn't escape that place. Their mission was over. And that was enough for them. Their home was safe and their friends would be able to enjoy the bliss of the land being freed from that darkness. And deep in Meri's heart, she was happy that her last moments were spent with her friend.
"Phan. How about we go home?"
Her friend let out a small sigh as he closed his eyes. "Yes. That would be nice."
"Excuse me," another voice interrupted Caeru's reading. This time, however, it was a voice accompanied by the sound of chains rattling against the floor.
Caeru lifted his crystal lantern and then pointed it at the voice. The holding cells were the last place he expected to see another pony, let alone a changeling. Yet, there she was, or at least he thought it was a she. Black chitin with emerald green mane, her body was well built as the book described. A beautiful silhouette accompanied by tauntingly hypnotizing eyes. Surely something worthy of the lady of the forest from the story he was reading.
But, again, she was interrupting his reading.
"It is rude to stare," The Changeling said in a sultry tone. "If you like what you see, why not come closer?"
Squinting his eyes, Caeru saw the vestments the changeling wore. Her dress had several holes, many of them seemed to be caused by weapons. However, her chitin was intact. Just like the book described it, the chitin functioned as an armor against the attacks from ranged weapons and spells.
Caeru let out a sigh before returning his gaze to the yellow pages. "Changeling charms won't work on a pony that is aware of your presence. I merely wanted a place to finish my reading. If you would be so kind, leave me to it."
"What's this? I thought you liked mares. Maybe you like stallions? I can be that if you want," The Changeling said while her voice shifted to something akin to Caeru's commander, Captain Shining Armor.
Caeru sighed in annoyance as he marked the page once more. "I don't seem to find any ponies attractive so far. At least not any real ones."
"Oh, you poor thing. Did the mares give you a hard time? Why don't you give ME a try?" The changeling said while getting closer to the bars as she reached out to Caeru. "I can be whoever you want. But you can't lie to me. I know you find some mares attractive. I can see the glint in your eyes. So, do tell me: who strikes your fancy?"
Caeru stared attentively at the creature. The book mentioned that changelings could shapeshift. However, in the story, they didn't seem very fond of it. Something about it influencing their thought process. But this changeling seemed quite eager to shapeshift. And that had him quite curious.
"I do have some mares I fancy. I guess it is pretty obvious that Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance are the ones that caught my eye," Caeru commented, which earned him rolling eyes from the changeling. "Pretty obvious, huh?"
"I don't think so, my dear," The chained creature replied as her entire body was engulfed in flames. In the blink of an eye, she had turned into Celestia. "Won't my valiant knight rescue his poor ruler from this unjust prison?"
Caeru just stood there, mesmerized by the show he had just seen. They really could shapeshift! And with an amazing amount of details too! Even Celestia's ethereal mane was on point! Now, that was an ability to be proud of. Mimicry that could fool any creature? Where would he need to sign up to gain it? Nowhere was the answer. It was a species trait after all.
"What is it, my dear?" The fake princess asked with her voice cracking. "Am I too old? Do you perhaps..." Another flash of green, and then Cadance was standing before Caeru. "...prefer a younger mare? I may not have the same built or size as the sun. But I guarantee my 'heart' can make you ever so pleased. Would you like to give it a try? We can do it with the chains on if it excites you."
Caeru was completely baffled at the sight. The way she could seamlessly change between personas was amazing. She could live a good life as an actor. Wait, what if she played the role of the characters in the book? What if all changelings did that?! It would be THE play of the century. Caeru would pay as much as they wanted to see actors like them bring his book to life.
"Your kind is really something else. The imitation is on point. But I can't do anything to you, regardless of the form you take. Celestia and Cadance are beautiful. But they are deities. I'm a private first class. And you? You probably walk on the same plane as them. Thank you, for showing me your shapeshifting. Now, I'll return to my book."
The fake alicorn of love shifted back into the form of a changeling. She hissed and scowled at Caeru for several seconds while he readied himself to read the final bits of the story.
"Huh, another pony reading another boring tale where ponies are the heroes. Typical writing, let me guess: the main character is rescuing the princess from a horrifying monster. Probably a dragon or a griffon. Maybe even a changeling."
This time Caeru took her words personally. He had discovered that book recently. Right before he got sick, but what a tale it was. The plot of the rising king, the struggle to keep the ring's influence at bay, the attempt of bringing back the one corrupted by the ring in an attempt to save himself. The relationship that the trio composed by a dragon, a pony and a griffon developed during their adventures. The satisfaction of seeing the armies of the dark lord fall time and time again by the hands of those he thought weaker than him.
But what he liked the most was the thought that even the smallest of things could change the fate of the world. That even the weakest of creatures could become a force so grand that an entire continent would unite to face the darkness. Despite the differences in shape and culture, despite the wrongs that happened in the past. A single act of bravery from something so small caused a small disturbance that evolved into a tsunami.
"You better keep your mouth shut before criticizing this book. The protagonists are your kin. Their bravery in this story was the changing force that led to the salvation of the entire continent," Caeru replied while holding the book towards the changeling.
"A book where foreigners are the heroes? How much time has passed since your princess threw me in this cell?" The Changeling said rolling her eyes.
"You don't believe me? Then listen to this!"
Caeru opened the book again at the marked page. Clearing up his throat he found the sentence where he had stopped. Then he took a deep breath and began to read it out loud.
The elder dragons soared over the lake of lava. Alba, the hippogriff, rode on the back of a fire dragon, hoping to find his friends somewhere amongst the streams of molten rock. He had been searching for several minutes, seeing only burnt up corpses along with the remains of creatures that died after climbing up on top of giant boulders.
Then he saw it. Two little changelings, one resting in the arms of the other as they slowly drifted into sleep. Alba Spoke to the dragon, orienting it about the changeling's whereabouts. The elder dragon grabbed the small creatures with its powerful claws and then took off. His destination, the city of Spero.
After a long sleep, Phan Hivend heard the singing of birds. The sound of a stream passing by while a gentle wind made the leaves dance to create a shower of sunlight. He opened his eyes, at the foot of his bed, Alba sat down with his staff. Phan smiled at the sight of his old friend.
"PHAN!" Another voice called out. Phan looked towards the room's door and then he saw Meri.
The changeling rushed to his side to give Phan a hug followed by a kiss on his cheek.
"We made it!"
"Not without scaring us first."
That was Sythorn's voice. Phan saw the one that let him pursue his quest appear at the door with his companions. Ignis entered the room, loud as usual for the small drake. Lucem followed the small drake, her usual silent was accompanied by a warm welcoming smile. And then, there were Phalanx and Tarsus, the two misfit scouts that helped Phan escape the riders. Their joy was something the hive would be something worthy of the grand hive festivals.
Phan was back at the town where the Fellowship was formed. His vision was clear and his memories of the Hive had returned. Phan celebrated with his friends until Sythorn Told them to get ready. Apparently, there was one thing that still needed to be done.
Phan only came to learn the meaning of his friend's words when they reached the Griffon city, Caelum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jJnyyta07k
The great city welcomed their return with the ringing of silver trumpets. A shower of flowers fell over the group as they slowly made their way towards the grand castle. The citizens screamed 'Long live the King!' as their company moved up the mountain. Phan watched with joy as dragons, zebras, hippogriffs, ponies, griffons, diamond dogs, and other races cheered their march.
As they reached the city's summit. Phan caught sight of the most beautiful tree he had ever seen. A huge red-barked tree blooming with thousands of golden and silver flowers. Their petals reflecting the light from the sun as they passed through the courtyard. That was a sight to behold.
Then the march stopped as Alba walked by Sythorn's side, leading him towards the castle's entrance. All the different species that Phan had seen during his climb gathered around them. That was when the white hippogriff picked up some petals that had fallen from the tree. With a bit of magic, a wondrous crown made out of silver and gold formed in his hands.
The crowd cheered as Sythorn kneeled down in front of Alba.
"We bear witness to the rise of the new king! May his line never fail! And let the fire of freedom shine upon the land of Thesauri shine ever so bright as it does this day!"
The mob roared in joy as unicorns fired up their magic into the skies creating beautiful bursts of colors. But then, there was silence. The entire crowd stopped their cheers as a group of ponies branding the banner of the house of Spero. And the one bearing the banner, Smaragdi. Daughter of the lord Cerasus, head of the house of Speros. A beautiful young pegasus emerald coat fading to mint as it reached the end of her limbs and nostrils. Her mane was white as snow.
Sythorn walked up to her. And then Phan saw the two exchange a loving kiss. The crowd once again cheered at the sight. Then the king turned to them. The four little changelings who had made all of that possible. The group bowed in respect to their companion's new status. Only to receive a reprimand.
"Do not lower your heads, my friends. For none of us is more deserving of the respect and the praise from this ceremony, than the four of you. Please, today, the ones who should bow, are us."
As the king said those words, he got down on his knee and lowered his head. All the species surrounding them did the same leaving only the four heroes standing tall.
"What do you think of that?" Caeru said while marking the page once more.
"That was unexpected, to say the least," The Changeling replied with an annoyed tone.
"I told you the book painted your kind as the heroes!"
"I will admit that is the best light we have ever been presented in. However, that is only a rare exception. One book cannot hope to change the way changelings are viewed."
"This tome is a compilation of three books. The fellowship of the ring, The two towers, and The return of the king. There are over a thousand pages of your kind being depicted as valiant, noble heroes," Caeru shot back while pointing at the tome.
"Three books?"
"Yes!"
"What is happening here?" A third voice called out from behind Caeru.
Lifting his lantern, Caeru saw yet another noble. Princess Cadance, alicorn of love was staring at them from the top of the stairs.
"Soldier, what are you doing here?" She inquired with a serious tone.
"Your Highness, I was merely seeking a quiet place to read this book. I did not know that there were prisoners within the castle dungeons as of late," Caeru replied while using his professional tone.
"Well, they are being used to house the one who tried to kidnap and impersonate me," The Royal replied as she descended the stairs.
"Please, I would make a better Princess of Love than you," The Changeling replied while using the same voice as Cadance.
"Quiet, monster!" Cadance shot back with poison. "Soldier! Stand still and then let go of the book."
"As you wish," Caeru replied as he let the book go.
The tome floated towards the princess. She made the book open in front of her face. Then she began to read it out loud.
And at the shores of the city of Spero. The gray boats waited for the changeling Phan board it. He had done his part, but his exposure to the malevolent ring had left its mark on him. The heartache and the wounds he suffered during his journey would never disappear. And thus, the ponies granted him the greatest gift they could afford, passage into the west.
At the white shores that waited for them at world's end, he would know peace. The pain and sorrow he was remembered ever so often by the wound he received from the wraiths would disappear. However, the sadness of leaving his companions behind would remain. But even that would be accompanied by the comfort of knowing they would live in peace, in a land united by the power of the bonds he had helped create.
As he said his goodbyes, Phan handed the book he had received from his uncle. Meri received the tome with tears in her eyes. Only to burst in tears as her friend disappeared in the horizon. After several minutes of crying, the changeling opened the book and read the title of it for her friends who were still trying to pretend they weren't crying.
"There and Back Again, and The Lord of the Rings. The tales of the Changelings."
An envelope fell from the pages. Meri picked up the letter and as she read it, her tears began to form again.
'Dear Meri,
I'm sorry I had to leave. But I cannot remain within this realm. My body was tainted by the power of the ring. I would only suffer from its lingering will for as long as lived if I were to remain at your side. This is the part of my journey in which you cannot take part. But I leave you this book so that you can remember the time we spent together.
I filled a lot of pages. But there is plenty left to fill. Those are the pages of your story. Write them down with pride. For you are the bravest and kindest creature I ever knew.
And know that it pains me to leave you behind.
Because I love you.
I leave Nest End to you. May your family know only days of peace and joy.
Always yours,
Phan Hivend.'
"A book with changelings as the protagonists? Changelings displaying love? Has the queen already brainwashed you, soldier?" Princess Cadance said igniting the book.
Caeru's eyes widened. He could not believe Cadance had just done that. Caeru ran towards the burning book. However, as soon as he managed to reach it, there was a bright flash. The entire room around him began to melt as the color drained from it. The two mares he had seen had become completely still. Caeru couldn't move either.
The grotesque sight of the princess of love slowly melting into a grey blot as each of her tissues slid down the statue revealing her muscles, her bones, her organs, and even her soul, was burned to the back of his skull. Caeru tried to move, but all he could do was watch as he suffered the same fate as the alicorn.
His mind got lost in a haze of ramblings about how precious it was. The thoughts about an unstoppable power. The lust for everything that could be achieved by just wearing it. Like serpents, those thoughts slithered into his mind, muffling any attempt to make a logical remark. And then a big eye made purely of flames flying at him again and again and again as if time had stopped working and was now stuck in a loop.
StU-ck in 8980*a loop.
Stuck in8772 a :opo.
Stuck n(K a l00p.
StU&8k in a p)97l.
SctRgu in loop a.
Ktucs an i pool.
STUCK IN A LOOP.
Eventually, all he could see around him was an endless white void. There were no sounds, the scent of iron from the holding cells had disappeared. Caeru had no weight, his body seemed to float in the middle of the white sea. Suddenly he began to feel a weight. He could feel his body touching a cold surface.
Caeru blinked once and an image appeared before his eyes. A changeling wearing comfortable-looking clothes. A green vest over a plain white shirt with a dark green scarf. He also had a pair of brownish-red pants on with suspenders. He also had a coat of the same color. His eyes were pale green, while his mane was light brown and unruly.
It fit perfectly with the description of Phan Hivend. The main character of the story Caeru had been reading. Subconsciously, Caeru reached out for the image, and then he came in contact with what felt like a wall. But as soon as his hands made contact with the wall, the image before him disappeared. Then he could see his arms and hands again, however, they were covered by what looked like chitin. Just like the changeling prisoner.
And thus he fainted.